Drapery



Sept. 16, 1930. s. c. SHULMAN DRAPERY Filed March 22, 1930 INVENTOR fifi/W EL 6.5/101M44/ But 4 W, Pym

ATTQ RN EY- Patented Sept. 16, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAMUEL O. SHULMAN, F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK DRAPEBY Application filed March 22, 1930. Serial in. 438,097.

This invention is an improvement in dra- I peries, such as valences and the like, and more particularly in a cut or tailored drapery composedof a plurality of units and designed f endeavor to obtain the same efiect, but the valence must be cut and tailored to fit the opening with} which it is designed to be used.

I One of the primary objects of the present invention is the provision of a valence, composed of a plurality of like units, which may belied to provide a valence of any desired wi t Another object is the provision of a valence, composed of a plurality of .units, or a plurality of units wit cascades, of a nature such that they may be assembled to simulate free hand or scarf dra ry.

Another object is t e provision of a unit,

- so, constructed that two or more thereof may be quickly assembled in.a desired relation,

and to fit the-width of the opening.

Another object is the provision of a unit especially adapted to be supported by a holder having a slot through which the top of the unit may be assed from above downward,

the said top infg 'stifiened to prevent displacement thereo by the weight of the unit.

Another object is the provision of a method of making units, by providing a blank, so cut' and she ed that by pleating the side edges in a spec ed manner and superimposing them upon one edge of the blank, a completed fes- -tooned unit will be formed. Another object is the provision of a blank so cut and shaped, that merely by pleating the side edges and superimposing said edges upon a selected edge of the blank, a completed festoon willbe formed. a With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination of parts fully described hereinafter, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims ap- I pended hereto, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to with- .out departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings forming a part hereof '00 Fig. l'is a perspective view of a valence constructed in accordance with the invention. a FilFig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of ig. 3 is a detail in section looking at the rear top of one end of a unit.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail partly in section through the support and the upper part of the unit.

Fi 5 is a plan view of the blank from whic the valence isformed.

In the present embodiment of the invention, a valenceis shown composed of a number of like units A,each of which is a festoon, but finished and sewed so that it will retain its shape. Each unit is shaped in the flat as shown in Fig. 5. As shown, each unit has a straight upper edge 1, a convex lower edge 2, and notched side edges, the side edges conveFng toward the straight edge, as shown.

'ach of the side edges is notched, as shown at 3, the notches at one side edge being in register with the notches at the opposite side edge, and the walls of each notc slightly obtuse angle, as shown. The blank umt is formed into a festoon, that is, a completed unit in the following manner. Each side edge of the unit is pleated on lines indicated at 4 extending from the bottoms of the notches, and from the apices of the projections 5 formed between the notches. 4

When the side edges are so pleated, the walls 6 of the notches will register at each side edge,--and when these reglstering parts are superimposing upon the rear face of the unit, in register with the straight side 1, the unit will take the shape of Figs. 1' and 2, and when the parts are so secured together, the festoon is completed. A stifl'ening strip 7 of meet at a buckram or the like, is provided at the straight edge 1. This strip is secured to the said edge, and the edge is bound by a facing material 8, which extends over both faces of the buckram, and over the faces of-the' unit for a little distance, as shown. The stifi'ening strip serves the two-fold function of maintaining the units in extended and shapely form and in providing a convenient means for hanging the units. When the units are hung the stiflening strips are concealed from view and they donot therefore detract from the artistic appearance of the drapery. The unit as a rule is lined, but it is apparent that it may be unlined, if desired.

The units are supported by the hanger shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 2. The said hanger'comprises a pair of channel shaped members, each composed of. sections 9 and 9, sliding one within the other, and each section has at its outer end an angular portion 10, the said portions being detachably' connected with a common base 11, which is secured to the frame of the opening over which the valence is arranged. In hanging the units, the stiffening strip with its facing is passed from above downward between the 1 members of a pair of bars, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and the unit is supported in this position.

If desired, a form .of fastening means may be provided in connection with each unit. This means is in the form of a strip 12 of suitable.material, secured to the unit between the edge of the facing strip 8 and the rear face of the unit. The stripbearso'ne' section 13 of a snap fastener, the other sec-- tion 14 being arranged on the facing strip as shown. The manner of using the fastener is 'shown in Fig. 4. That is, the strip 12 is assed with the stiffened edge of the unit Thus the eifect of a free hand or scarf drapery is attained. 1

Adjustment for different widths of openings is enabled by the lappingof the units upon each other, and the valence may consist of merelyithe units, or with the cascades as deslred. In order tocarry out the full effect of free hand drapery, one of the cascades,

1 namely, that at the rightof Fig. 1, may be arranged beneath the lap of the adjacent unit. The support for the valence is ineifect'a member. having a longitudinally extendin .slot, through which the reinforced or sti skilled labor.

forced or stiffened edge that enters the slot,

and the valence hangs smoothly over the outermost part. By providing the stiffened or reinforced edge in the form of'an extension, an edge of substantially the same thickness throughout its length 1s provided. While the improvement is shown as a valence with festooned units, it will be under stood that the invention contemplates other draperies of this character, whether composed of festooned or plain units. The invention resides in providingunits having the upper edge reinforced orstiffened over a'relatisvely narrow area, sufliciently so that when the said edge is loosely held between the two bars of 'a support, with the 'unit draped over one of the bars, the edge will support the unit. That is, the edge is sufficiently rigidso that it will not bend over. the bar through the weight of the unit.

The Fig. 5 construction shows a blank for constructing asfestooned unit with curves of relatively short radius. In order to construct a unit with curves or festoons of relatively I long radius, the inclination of the sides will be varied. As for instance, the notched sides may be parallel, in which case the sides after pleating, are not superimposed on the edgel,

ing the inclination of the opposite sides which are to be notched;

The cutting of the units prior to heating .makes it possible for drapery units to e made standard and in mass production by .m-

What is claimed as new is 1. In draperies, such as valences and the like, a unit having a relatively narrow stiflening element substantiall coextensive with F but remain separate and independent. The,

radius of the festoon curve is varied by varythe upper edge thereof or the" purpose set forth, said stiffening element being ada ted to be concealed from view whenthe unit is hung.

2. In draperies,-such as valences and the like, a unit in the form of a festoon having a straight edge at the top, and a stiffening" strip. substantlally coextensive with the said edge for the purpose set forth, said stiffening strip being adapted to be concealed from view when the unit is hung.

3. In draperies, such as valences and the like, a unit inthe form of a festoon having a straight edge at the top, and a stiffening strip secured tothc said edge and substantially coextensive therewith for the purpose set forth, the stiffening strip including a strip of relatively rigid material,.and a facing stripfcoveri-ng both faces of the first named strip, said stiffening strip being adapted to be concealed from view when the unit is hung. 4. In draperies, such as valences and the sti like, a unit in the form of a festoon having a straight edge at the top, and a stiffening strip secured to the said edge and substantially coextensive therewith for the purpose set forth, and a holding strip secured to the unit at the stiffening strip, said holding strip and stiffening strip having complementary fastening members for the purpose set forth and said stiffening strip being adapted to be concealed from view when the unit is hung.

5. In draperies, such as valences and the like, a unit in the form of a festoon having a straight edge at the top, a stiffening strip secured to the said edge and substantially coextensive therewith for the purpose set forth and adapted to be supported on a pair of parallel laterally spaced supporting bars between which the stiffening strip is inserted from above downward.

6. A drapery, such as valences and the like, composed of a plurality of similar units, each in the form of a festoon having a straight edge at the top, and a stiffening strip secured to the said edge substantially coextensive therewith, said units being adapted to be adjustably lapped at their side edges, each upon the preceding, with the stiffening strip concealed from view when the units are hung.

7. Adrapery, such as valences and the like, composed of a plurality of similar adjustable units, and a plurality of adjustable cascades,

each unit in the form of a festoon having a straight edge at the top, the upper straight edges of the units, and the upper ends of the cascades being provided with reinforcing and stiffening strips substantially coextensive therewith for the purpose set forth, said strips being concealed from view when the units are hung.

8. In draperies, such as valences and the like, a unit having its opposite side edges pleated to form a festoon when said edges are alined, said unitbeing provided with an extension stiifening strip along its upper edge for the purpose set forth.

9. A drapery, such as valences and the like, adapted to be fitted to windows of different widths, composed of a plurality of similar units, and a plurality of cascades, each unit being in the form of a festoon having a straight edge atthe top, and each cascade having a similar straight edge, the straight edges of the units and the cascades bemg stifl substantially throughout their lengths, to enable the units: and the cascades to be supported by spaced parallel bars with the remainder of the units and the cascades depending from the foremost bar, the units lapping at their adjacent edges, and the cascades lapping the adjacent edges of the adajcent units.

10. A drapery, such as valences and the like, adapted to be fitted to windows or doors of different widths, comprising a plurality ened portions between the bars, and the of independently adjustable drapery units, each complete in itself and adapted to be brought into overlapping relation with an adjacent unit and each having a stiffening strip substantially coextensive with its upper edge to hold the decorative portions of the units in proper extended shape, said stiffening strip being adapted to be concealed from view when the drapery is hung.

'11. In draperies of the kind described, a unit having an extension strip of stiffened fabric sewed along and coextensive with the upper edge thereof, and a fabric facing strig sewed to the unit and covering said stifi'ene strip, said strips serving to maintain the unit in extended form for convenient hanging.

12. In draperies of the kind described, a unit having an extension strip of stiffened fabric sewed along and coextensive with the upper edge thereof, a fabric facing strip sewed to the unit and covering said stiffened strip, said strips serving to maintain the unit in extended form for convenient hanging, and supporting loops carried by the unit at the rear face of the stiffened extension.

13. In draperies of the class described, a unit formed from a blank having a straight top edge, a convexly curved bottom edge and side edges converging from the lower to the top edge, the side edges being notched and pleated to form a festoon effect of transversely curved folds in the body of the drapery when said pleated edges are alined and attached at the straight top edge, said unit having a stiffening strip sewed along its upper straight edge servin to maintain the unit in extended form an as a convenient means for hanging the unit.

Signed at New York cit in the county of New York and State of ew York this 21st day of March A. D. 1930.

SAMUEL C. SHULMAN. 

